Musk basil, African curry powder
Basilicum polystachyon

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows 90 cm high and spreads 50 cm wide. The stem is erect and branching. The leaves are oval or sword shaped and opposite. They are green and 5 cm long. The flowers are tube shaped and white. They have 2 expanding lips. They grow in groups along one side of a stalk.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near river banks and in damp places. It needs well-composted moist soils. It suits a partly shaded position. In southern China it grows in thickets near streams between sea level and 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, Burkina Faso, China, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Japan, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

It is used in sauces and as a flavouring.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Iwena, Tulwena

Synonyms

Basilicum polystachyon var. stereocladum Briq.; Lehmannia ocymoidea Jacq. ex Steud.; Lumnitzera ocimoides Jacq. ex Spreng.; Lumnitzera polystachyon (L.) J. Jacq. ex Spreng.; Moschosma dimidiatum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Benth.; Moschosma polystachyon (L.) Benth.; Ocimum dimidiatum Schumach. & Thonn.; Ocimum polystachyon L.; Ocimum tashiroi Hayata; Ocimum tenuiflorum Burm.f.; Plectranthus micranthus Spreng.; Plectranthus polystachyus (L.) Rchb.;